“United by love we flourish by faith. What the enemy seeks to divide, Christ unifies.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 12, 2021
So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Romans 12:5, NASB
Committed followers of Jesus are called to community not seclusion. Jesus had His disciples, Paul had the church—even monks have brothers in the monastery and nuns have sisters in the convent. Men and women of faith are not islands of isolation, but a beautiful Body of Christ intricately woven together by God’s grace. Just like a physical body relies on a variety of organs and appendages, so the spiritual body is interdependent.
Christ calls us to one another. We need one another. Yes, we are complete in Christ, but we are incomplete without a Christ-centered community. When Christ called us, He called us to Himself and to His body of believers. Spiritual growth slows absent engagement with other sincere souls. We are part of a worldwide movement of faith and good works initiated by the Spirit through the Church of Jesus Christ and His disciples. Our vision radically expands when we are part of a mission much bigger than ourselves.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common” (Acts 2:42-44).
United by faith we flourish by faith. What the enemy seeks to divide, Christ unifies. We align with each other around the Almighty’s agenda: share the gospel, feed the poor, plant churches, heal the sick, make disciples, educate, preach, teach and care for widows and orphans. Christians who serve together have no time for the sideways energy of irrelevant arguments. We need one another—like an army we cover each other’s back.
We need one another for prayer and perspective. We need one another for protection and encouragement. We need one another because we are in a spiritual war. We need one another because we are weak and vulnerable. We need one another because we are strong and proud. We need one another to protect us from ourselves. We need one another to know one another and to be known. We need one another because God says we do.
Religion is not solitary with your Savior Jesus. When you are with other followers of Christ you are encouraged, prayed for, and held accountable. Yes, you can worship in private, but when you gather for public worship you experience the diversity of God’s children. The energy and education you receive when you engage other brothers and sisters in Christ is necessary for spiritual growth. If you had a bad church experience, prayerfully participate in a new place of worship. Go where you can better know God.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for the humility to recognize my need for other brothers and sisters in Christ. Show us ways to be a blessing to one another, through Christ’s love and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
How can I grow old with an authentic community of other Christ followers?
Related Reading
Joel 2:15-17; Matthew 28:20; Acts 1:14; Hebrews 3:13
Worship Resource
Adrienne Bailon-Houghton: I Am with You be Still
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